Friday 3/24 Update:
Epworth Hall Committee Announces Early Spring Progress Report on Floor

"Removal of the old Epworth Hall floor and the refinishing of the original floor underneath has been a dream of Epworth Hall lovers for several decades and became posible with the latest historical preservation funds received for that express purpose.
"The entire Epworth Hall floor has been sanded, the warn and damaged boards replaced, and the refinishing has begun. Most damage was located in front of the stage," reports Sharon Pratt, Chairperson. The Communications Committee of the Trustees request that everyone stay out of the building until the work is completed and the equipment and workers have left.

Epworth Hall March 24, 2023

Friday 3/24 Update:
Fish Fry Delivered is Now Weekly Event

Here's a late discovery that I just had to get published: Large piece of fish with a side of tarter sauce, baked potato or french fries, cold slaw or larger-than-usual side salad with choice of salad dressing and dinner roll available for $15.99. Includes the three remaining Fridays in Lent (March 24, 31, April 7) and continuing on as part of the regular Friday Menu. Eat-In or optional free delivery to Village of Perry. Delivery also available to surrounding areas including Silver Lake. Call Daryl's Pizzeria at (585) 237-2113.

Silver Lake News Briefs

THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING AT SILVER LAKE TODAY was sun-filled but cool depending upon your location in Western New York. Some were as warm as 52 while others were as cool as 46. The Silver Lake basin remained in the 40s but no one seemed to be complaining. The streets are dry, the lawns remained covered with snow, and the Lake is free of ice.

TOMORROW, WEDNESDAY, IS OPENING DAY AT THE CHARCOAL CORRAL -- The Restaurant will be the first section to open, while the Drive-Ins will open April 7th. Most Silver Lake area people consider this the true opening of Spring! Fresh Fish Fry begins March 24; Italian Night starts Wednesday, March 29; Cruise Nights start Thursday, May 11; Pirdy's Birdies Outdoor BBQ is Saturday, May 27; Easter Breakfast Buffet is Sunday, April 9.

RESIDENTS OF THE SILVER LAKE INSTITUTE COMMUNITY have informally decided to encourage a write-in campaign to our State Representative, to remind him that it has been four years since SLI was first approved for an historical grant to help replace the roof on Epworth Hall. If you would like to help in this effort, please contact Glynne Schultz at your earliest convenience.

First Comes Spring, then...
Charcoal Corral Opens Wed., March 22!

"Thumbs Up to Spring! Our Crew has been preparing to bring another fantastic season in 2023. We look forward to serving up some great food and family friendly entertainment starting on Wednesday, March 22nd!" announced the Corral's Facebook Page. "Movies Under the Stars" begins April 7th at the Twin Drive-In Theatres! Sunday, April 9th is the Easter Sunday Breakfast Cafe - don't miss it! We'll be ready for you.

In Memoriam

Kathy Hennig passed away yesterday (Monday, March 6). She was a long time summer resident of the Silver Lake Institute and one of the original Silver Lake Experience members. This ray of sunshine will be sadly missed. You can offer words of kindness and support to Ken Hennig at the calling hours which are scheduled for Friday (March 10) at Wedekindt's, 3290 Delaware Avenue from 4 to 7 pm. You can call Kathy Schaefer or Greg Franklin for Ken's address if you would like to send a card.

News Briefs

A BEAUTIFUL, SUN-SHINY DAY filled the Silver Lake basin and surrounding areas making the still-cold temperatures feel considerably milder. The upcoming week is forecast to bring somewhat warmer temperatures, although still slated for the 40's.

IN AUGUST OF 2022, four-year-old Aurora Putney of Perry lost her battle with a rare form of leukemia. On January 16th, Aurora would have celebrated her 5th birthday. Aurora’s family has been thinking of a way to give back to those who were so giving to them during her fight. Aurora was diagnosed in March of 2019.... “We have decided to collect toys and gifts cards/cash whatever people would like to donate to the CURE Childhood Cancer Association,” says Crystal Putney, Aurora’s Mom. “They help all families like us. They give us parking vouchers, so we do not have to worry about paying for parking, food vouchers, gas cards, gifts/toys for the kids who are diagnosed, along with siblings, and they help families with Christmas gifts as well. Whatever we needed, they help where help is needed.”

Lent--Earliest Hint of Spring:
'Fat Tuesday,' Preceeds Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday 2023 is tomorrow. We know this because today is the last day of Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday, but the season actually begins on King's Day (12th Night of Christmas, January 6th, just like the Feast of the Epiphany), and extends until midnight before Ash Wednesday. There is no "official" Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras is a holiday, just like Christmas and Easter. It belongs to everyone. In some parts of the country, official organizations control their Mardi Gras celebration, but this is not true in New Orleans. The Carnival season always begins on Jan. 6. Mardi Gras day (Fat Tuesday), however, is on a different day each year. Fat Tuesday changes every year because Easter Sunday is never on the same Sunday each year. Fat Tuesday is always the day before Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday kicks off Lent--the season observed by mainline Christianity as a time of personal sacrifice, contemplation and meditation in preparation for Holy Week and Easter. Lent is observed in the Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, United Methodist, Moravian, Oriental Orthodox, Persian, United Protestant and Roman Catholic traditions.

Temperature at 2 pm is 38°:
Flip Flop Weekend Weather

Gorgeous sunny day today (Saturday) throughout the Silver Lake basin but temperatures will remain in the upper 30s. Sunday will be goegeous in temperature with a high of 50° but the sky will be cloudy. Most of the coating of snow we had early this morning is mostly gone.

Thursday, February 16, 2023:
News Briefs

THE SILVER LAKE SKY was filled with black smoke Wednesday afternoon on West Lake Road as a large barn fire spread to two other large barns, one small barn and a shed. The small barn and shed were saved but several heifers and calves were lost in the fire. There were no other injuries. The fire started when sparks from a maple syrup arch accidentally blew onto a pile of straw inside the first large barn at Silver Meadows Farms located at 4136 West Lake Road. Twenty-one Fire Departments reponded to the six-and-a-half hour battle along with Castile, Perry, and Perry Center.

THE HOLE IN THE WALL WILL BE REOPENING "after they transform it into an arcade and lounge, offering wood-fired pizzas and more," announced Lorraine Sturm, publisher of the Perry Herald this week, saying "That's big for Perry and Castile--and Wyoming County." The timeline has not yet been announced. Jacki and Travis Barlow, owners of the Hole in the Wall, are also owners of the Ration Wine Bar on Main St. downtown. They are also the relatively new owners of the Lumberyard Restaurant and have also decided to adventure into two new businesses: Lumberyard Hospitality and Lumberyard Realty. They will have these two LLC's soon if not already.

Wednesday, February 15, 2023:
News Briefs

THE RANCH HOUSE at 6994 Camp Road, between Thompson and Janes Avenues, is no longer a part of a junk yard and the house itself has been rehabbed and looking quite attractive and inviting. It is now a pleasure passing it as one transits down Camp Road toward the Institute entrance at Perry Ave. It remains vacant since its completion late in 2022. It is listed for $249,000 through Hanna Real Estate in Geneseo. Although it has three bedrooms, it only has one bath and only a total of 960 square feet of living space. However, it sits on a half acre lot to its credit. If you're looking for a solid view of Silver Lake, this is not the one for you. The lot, however, appears even larger since a portion of the old Institute property sits between the house lot and Camp Road. That SLI property used to be part of the tree-lined Grand Entrance to SLI back in its early days beginning with its purchase in 1872 and its first Camp Meeting in 1873.

HIGH WIND GUSTS of up to 50 mph will draw in warm air from the south which will allow temperatures to reach as high as 60 degrees during the afternoon today.

LONG TIME ADVOCATE & HARD WORKER for Epworth Hall, Rev. Roger Covell was invited on Sunday by Chairperson of the Epworth Hall Committee, Mrs. Sharon Pratt, to check out the original wood floor which is now made visible by the total removal of the old tile floor last Fall. The plan now is to professionally refinish the original floor so its beauty can be fully enjoyed. This will add a new dynamic to the upcoming season.

NEIGHBORING COMMUNITY OF PERRY is one of several WNY towns, villages, and cities which have received State of NY grants for $10 million dollars for their downtown revitalization, it was announced yesterday over channel 7 TV News. Perry is looking into new housing and business opportunities.

February 13, 2023:
Silver Lake Showing First Signs of Thaw

February is almost half over and it is apparent that the up and down trend of the weather's mild days changing quickly to windy and cold days seems to be continuing. It's difficult to say that anyone could get bored when each new day alternates so freely between sunshine and winter warmth verses cold winds and snow flurries. So far the variety in 2023 has been bountiful. This week has been forecast to be warmish until Friday when the wind and flurries return at least for a day or two. After touring each of the Institute's streets, I can report that our heaviest wind gusts have not damaged any of the SLI trees and we've received no reports of damage in the Lake's other tracts. Even so, we are anxious for Spring and the joy of the company that our snowbirds will bring as they return to their summer homes at Silver Lake.

February 11, 2023:
Recent West Seneca Earthquake, and this week's High Wind Warning leaves Silver Lake Unaffected

Some say they felt the mild earthquake in the early morning hours of last week, others awoke and didn't know why, while still others simply slept through it. The story faded rather quickly in light of the serious earthquakes in Turkey and Seria. Silver Lake was, however, affected by the High Wind Warning and our trees could be seen swaying in the occasional 48 mph gusts. A few of the remaining locals have not noticed any downed trees or large branches as of this writing. The forecast is calling for above average temperatures with an occasional day of seasonable temps.

Friday Evening Update:
Silver Lake Overnight Temperature Might Hit Wind Chill of -15; Saturday Morning 'Warms Up' into the +20s

Sunday's temperature could possibly double into the upper 40s. Sunday evening slated to turn back to seasonal norms.

Dangerous to Humans and Pets Alike:
Bitter Cold Enters the Northeast Beginning this Morning after 2" of Snow Overnight; High of 48 Sunday

A temperature of 9 was recorded this morning at 9:40 a.m. at the intersection of Haven Ave. and the Ames Ave. Walkway in the Silver Lake Institute at Silver Lake, NY. The temperature was taken while brief sunshine and filtered sunshine shown between the mostly cloudy skies. 

The official temperature at the Weather Bureau for Silver Lake at 10:56 am under totally cloudy skies was 3. The temperature will continue to drop hourly according to the Bureau until reaching minus 16 (-16F). No further snow is anticipated.

UPDATE: The Weather Service is indicating that the bulk of the massive cold air system has already passed through the Western New York area and is now pushing on to the  Eastern New York and New England areas. 

Consistent sunshine over the Silver Lake Basin has enabled the temperature to rise from an early temperature of 3 in the late morning, up to 15 (at 2:30 pm) at the outdoor temperature recorder at Haven and Ames. No word yet on which trend will continue overnight with no sun.

Tonight at SLI's Blue Dock:
Grizzwoode closed out the SLI Season of 2022 outdoor concerts; Next Friday is Benefit Concert at Epworth at 7 pm

Video Unavailable.

Video and Story lost in the equipment breakdown of August 30, 2022.

Reminder for SLI Residents:
Saturday Morning Breakfast Cafe

8:30-10:00 am at Stoody Hall

Update for the Clarks on Wesley Avenue:
No available rehab. room in Warsaw

Fay Clark has been taken to the Le Roy Village Green for rehabilitation. They were hoping for Warsaw for convenience of travel but were told there were no available rooms. It was reported Wednesday that Fay also, at that point, had a case of pneumonia. Sarah would very much appreciate your prayers.

GLOW Region News—Byron-Bergen:
B-B senior participates in Boys’ State

JOSHUA TARDY

Joshua Tardy, who was then a junior at Byron-Bergen Junior-Senior High School, was called to the principal’s office one day during the spring semester.

He was not in trouble, though. He was called to the office so that the principal could inform Joshua that he had qualified to apply to Boys’ State, an American Legion leadership and citizenship program for high school juniors, which focuses on exploring American government and politics.

Though initially unfamiliar with the program, Joshua did some research and decided to contact the Bergen American Legion Post for an interview. He was selected to attend the week-long event at SUNY Morrisville along with three other representatives from Genesee County.

GLOW Region News — A Call For Change:
Petition urges safety improvements at East Avon intersection after latest crash

Injuries were reported to five people following this August 14th accident at Lakeville (Route 15) and Sutton Roads in East Avon. A petition is calling for safety improvements to be made at the intersection.

--East Avon Fire Dept. Photograph

Greg Norry has had enough. The Sutton Road resident has started an online petition at change.org calling for safety improvements at the Lakeville (Route 15) and Sutton and Lake roads intersection.

Norry, who lives on Sutton Road three homes away from the intersection, took action after a two-vehicle crash on Aug. 14 sent five people, including two young children, to Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester. One young woman suffered significant injuries and was flown to the hospital by Mercy Flight Central.

Norry was among several neighbors who joined first responders in helping at the scene after the crash.

“I held a 4-year-old in my arm. I had her blood down my arm, on my shirt and my pants as I tried to console her,” Norry told The Livingston County News on Monday. “I knew she wasn’t hurt bad, but then I saw her sister being carried and she was like a limp rag.”

Norry, in his petition, is asking for consideration of either a four-way stop sign, a full traffic light or lowering the speed limit along Route 15.

Others have joined in his call for changes. More than 700 people had signed the petition as of Aug. 24.

With the Unique Tremolos of the Hammond/Leslie Organ:
Grizzwoode Band with their unique sound returns to the SLI Dock Friday

This three piece band has been asked to return more than once not only because of their unique sound, but also their mix of classic and contemporary rock with some alternative music sprinkled in. You'll want to hum or sing along.

Those who are connoisseurs of the Hammond and Leslie tones, will once again enjoy the blend of the new digital organ as it is enhanced by the spinning speakers of the Leslie tone box. The dual guitars round out the musical background for the male vocalists. Don't miss it ... Friday at 7 pm.

Hand Made Quilts were on Display in Hoag:
Second Last 'Dessert on the Dock' 

has Season's highest attendance, 25

A very comfortable evening and one that invited Lake residents to view the beautiful quilts that the Piecemakers had created throughout the summer, may have enhanced the attendance. Thirty quilts were displayed at Hoag Gallery's first floor, but ten additional quilts will be added to the thirty displayed this evening and delivered to those who most need them.

Next Summer you are invited to join the Piecemakers every Wednesday morning at Hoag. You can learn to make a quilt  or simply help others who will be happy to show you how to help.

There is one more 'Dessert on the Dock' remaining for the Season at 7 pm next Wednesday.

Perry FD First with Sufficient Personnel on the Scene:
Three on roof rescued by Neighbors 

in Silver Springs fire Tuesday morning

Photo by Mark Gutman of the Daily News - Perry Fire Dept. personnel respond to the morning fire.

• By BRIAN QUINN, bquinn@batavianews.com

Three people had to be rescued from a roof Tuesday morning after a fire started at a Maple Street home, Wyoming County Emergency Services reported. Several fire departments responded to a house fire called in at 6:49 a.m. Tuesday at 18 Maple St. The two-story residence, owned by Kyle Burger, was destroyed.

“Two adults and a baby had to exit the home through a second-floor bedroom window onto a porch roof. A neighbor assisted the individuals with a ladder in removing them from the roof to the ground,” county Emergency Services said.

The Red Cross is assisting the family. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation, the county said this morning.

The fire departments responding to the scene were Silver Springs, Castile, Gainesville, Perry, Perry Center, Warsaw, Wyoming, Pike, Nunda and Wyoming Correctional. Responders were at the scene for about four hours.

Assisting at the scene were Wyoming County Emergency Services, Wyoming County Sheriff’s Department, Silver Springs Department of Public Works, National Fuel and the Red Cross. Standing by were the Gainesville, Nunda and Mount Morris fire departments.

The SLI Spiritual Life Committee is Collecting School Supplies. If you can't make it to the Lakewide Lakeside Community Worship on Sunday at 10:30 am at the SLI Dock, School Supplies may be dropped off on the front porch (facing the Lake) of the first house on Wesley Ave. (south side, which is the opposite side of the road from Hoag Gallery; Larry & Barb's).

A Silver Lake Newsletter Special:
Episode 4 - Epworth Hall

by the WNY Landmark Society

We hope you have enjoyed watching this WNY video with scenes from Silver Lake, 

Epworth Hall, Silver Lake Institute and Downtown Perry, NY.

In Memoriam

Tim Woodworth

of Thompson Avenue, Silver Lake

passed on Tuesday, August 23, 2022

More Information to Follow.